Fall 2010 Tours
Main Tour Includes
MOUNTAINS, PLAINS &
YSS CONVOCATION
48 days (or any portion of it)
October 7th thru November 23rd
Main Tour: New Delhi, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Ganga Camp, Badrinath, Pipal Koti, Jyotir Math, Rudraprayag, YSS Dwarahat Ashram, Babaji’s Cave, Corbett Park, Vrindaban, Agra, Taj Mahal, Kolkata (Calcutta), YSS Dakshineswar Ashram, Kali Temple, Sri Yukteshwar’s Serampore Ashram, Paramahansa Yogananda’s Family Home, Puri, Sri Yukteshwar’s Hermitage, Bhuvaneshwar, and Varanasi.
Ashrams & More Tour Includes
PLAINS, YSS CONVOCATION, CORBETT PART & BABAJI'S CAVE
33 days (or any portion of it)
October 27th thru November 29th
Ashrams and More Tour: New Delhi, Vrindaban, Taj Mahal, Puri, Kolkata (Calcutta), YSS Dakshineswar Ashram, Kali Temple, Sri Yukteshwar’s Serampore Ashram, Paramahansa Yogananda’s Family Home, Banaras, Ranchi Convocation, Corbett Park & YSS Dwarahat Ashram (Babaji's Cave).
This itinerary is subject to change. You may make your trip as many days as you are able to get away. Review this itinerary, decide where and when you would like to join us and depart, then contact Craig for a quote on the cost for that portion only.
The Long Mountain Portion of Main Tour:
OCT 07th, DAY 01: Depart USA.
OCT 08th, DAY 02: Arrive in New Delhi, India. Transfer to YSS
Noida retreat. Overnight.
OCT 09th Day 03: Enjoy retreat and ashram life. Overnight.
OCT 10th, DAY 04 - New Delhi: After breakfast, we will visit the
magnificent Akshardham Temple and see the beautiful movie 'Mystic
India'. That evening attend the YSS Delhi Center for Lahiri's
Mahasamadhi Service.
OCT 11th, Day 05 - Corbett Park: Arrive Kathgodham train station and transfer to the Wild Animal Preserve of Corbett Park. We will be staying at the beautiful Tarangi Resort. This is an amazing place, with exquisite riverside accommodations. Swim in the Kosi River or lovely pool. Enjoy massage, yoga or just relax. In the afternoon, take an elephant ride into the jungle looking for the elusive Bengal tiger or just enjoy the spectacular setting. We will continue to have our group meditations and chanting.
OCT 12th, DAY 06: This morning we will take jeeps into the main
preserve. You will see flora and fauna native to this area of India.
On previous rides in the jungle, we have seen sambar deer, peacocks,
wild boar, pythons, monitor lizards, alligators, wild elephants, a
king cobra and an occasional tiger. Return to resort for meditation
and dinner. Overnight.
OCT 13th, Day 07 - YSS Dwarahat Ashram: Today we will drive through the Himalayan
foothills to our YSS Dwarahat Ashram. After some chai, enjoy group
energization and meditation in this magical place, where Babaji’s
presence is so powerful. Overnight.
OCT 14th, Day 08: Enjoy the peace and serenity of the ashram
grounds or take short walks through the beautiful hills. After the
evening meditation, enjoy the nightly satsanga with Swami
Nirvananandaji. Overnight.
OCT 15th, DAY 09: After meditation
and breakfast, we will make our sacred pilgrimage to Babaji’s cave
in the beautiful foothills of Drona Giri. This is where the sacred
path of Kriya Yoga all began. After a blissful day, we will return
to the ashram for group meditation and chanting.
OCT 16th, Day 10: This day is free to enjoy the ashram
grounds or visit Ranikhet where Lahiri Mahashaya was stationed. He
spent his free time wandering the surrounding foothills before his
meeting with Babaji. Overnight.
OCT 17th, Day 11 - Pipal Koti: After breakfast take a long
scenic drive to Pipal Koti as we climb higher into the Himalayas.
Overnight.
OCT 18th, Day 12 - Badrinath: Morning drive up the beautiful
Himalayas to Badrinath or Badrinarayan. In the Autobiography,
Paramahansa Yogananda mentions that this is the current abode of our
great guru Mahavatar Babaji. We will enjoy two lovely days here,
visiting the holy temple and caves of this area. We will check into
our lovely mountain hotel. Overnight.
OCT 19th, Day 13: Day free in Badrinath to explore the
ancient village of Mana, the last outpost before Tibet. Take a
pilgrimage to Vaiyasa's Cave which is over 5000 years old, dating
from the time of the Pandava Brothers. Overnight.
OCT 20th, Day 14: After our wonderful stay in the holy
pilgrimage site of Badrinath, we will drive to Rudraprayag for rest
and relaxation. Overnight.
OCT 21st, DAY 15 - River Camp: Drive along Ganges to our
beautiful river camp. Overnight..
OCT 22nd & 23rd, Days 16 & 17: This beautiful camp is
secluded but is very comfortable. It is great for just plain
relaxing, kicking back and being pampered. We will have daily group
energization and meditation. Every night we will have chanting under
the stars or just sip a hot cup chai after our delicious dinner. For
the more adventurous, we offer river rafting, kayaking and trekking
as some of your options. Overnight.
OCT 24th, DAY 18 - Rishikesh: Today we will drive down the
river to the cave of Vashishta Muni, the guru of Sri Ram. After
meditating in the cave, we will go down by the river to the Christ
Cave. This is where Jesus appeared to Papa Ram Das. Holy vibrations
permeate these sacred places. Then we will drive to Rishikesh to
spend the next four days. Overnight.
OCT 25th, DAY 19: We will start our day with group meditation
and chanting. The morning will be free to explore this ancient city,
shop, or just relax. In the afternoon, we will walk across the
suspension bridge to attend an enchanting evening arati at the
Parmarth Niketan Ashram. Here we will enjoy kirtan and worship of
Mother Ganga under the stars. Return to our hotel. Overnight.
OCT 26th, DAY 20: After group meditation and breakfast, the
morning will be free. Later that afternoon we will drive to the city
of Dehradhun to visit the bedroom where Sri Anandamoya Ma left her
body. Return to Rishikesh. Overnight.
OCT 27th, DAY 21: After group energization and meditation, we
will cross the river and take a scenic walk up the ancient path
where pilgrims and sadhus have journeyed on their way to the high
Himalayan shrines. We will return to our guest house for lunch,
relaxation and evening group meditation. Overnight.
OCT 28th, DAY 22 - Haridwar: Drive one hour to the holy city
of Haridwar. Visit Keshavanda's Ashram. After lunch we will explore
this ancient city before our afternoon visit to Shree Anandamoya
Ma's Ashram and Samadhi Shrine. Enjoy evening arati on the banks of
the Ganga. Transfer to train station to take overnight train to
Delhi.
This concludes the Mountain Portion. Those returning home will
go back to Delhi. In the evening of the 18th you will transfer to
the International airport for your return flight to America, arriving home on Oct
19th. If you are arranging your own international flight, please book yours accordingly.
Plains Portion of Both Tours:
OCT 29th, DAY 23 - Delhi to Vrindaban:
Morning arrival Delhi. Transfer by A/C Coach to the holy city of
Vrindavan, the boyhood home of Lord Krishna. Enjoy the ambiance of
this amazing town. You can almost feel the Divine Cowherd dancing
with his Gopis along the sacred Jamuna river. Visit the incredible
ISHKON temple and melt into the devotees’ devotion to Radha and
Krishna. In this town 'Spirit and Nature' truly dance together.
Overnight.
OCT 30th, DAY 24 - Taj Mahal: Early morning visit to the city of
Agra to visit the incredible monument to love, 'the Taj Mahal'.
Return to hotel and take a pilgrimage to the jail cell where Lord
Krishna was born. Take an afternoon and evening boat ride on the
sacred Jamuna river. Overnight.
OCT 31st, DAY 25 - Delhi to Puri: Take early morning drive
back to Delhi. Enjoy breakfast along the way. Reach Delhi in time to
catch flight to Bhuvaneshwar. This sacred city is known for its
ancient temples and caves. Take an afternoon drive to the city of
Puri on the Bay of Bengal. Transfer to our beautiful seaside hotel.
Day free for enjoying resort grounds. Overnight.
NOV 1st, DAY 26: After group meditation, enjoy a scrumptious
breakfast on the veranda and in the afternoon visit Sri Yukteshwar's
Puri Ashram and the famous Jaganath Temple, where, it is said that
Lord Jesus spent some of his missing years before returning to
Palestine. Overnight.
NOV 2nd, DAY 27: Visit the YSS Kendra of Puri and have group
meditation. Day free for just relaxing and enjoying the Bay of
Bengal. Swim in our beautiful pool, get a massage or just relax.
Overnight.
NOV 3rd, DAY 28: Enjoy group meditations and the rest of the day
is free to enjoy the town or just enjoy resort. Board evening
overnight train to Kolkata. Overnight aboard train.
NOV 4th, DAY 29 - Kolkata (Calcutta): Arrive Kolkata and
transfer to the YSS Dakshineswar Ashram. In the late morning, we
will take a short walk to the famous Kali Temsple mentioned in the
Autobiography of a Yogi. This is where Mother Kali appeared to
Guruji. We will then visit Ramakrishna's room, a great place to
meditate. In the afternoon return to the ashram for group meditation
and dinner. Overnight ashram.
NOV 5th, DAY 30: We have a very full day. During this day we will
visit Mother Teresa’s home and charity where her body lies and then
drive to Master’s first meditation hall. This is where Guruji danced
in ecstasy. Next door is the home of Tulsi Bose, the boyhood friend
of Yogananda’s. After a short visit, we will walk around the corner
to the Shrine of the Levitating Saint, mentioned in the
Autobiography of a Yogi. The highlight of the day is our visit to
Guruji’s boyhood home (4 Garpar Road) and meditate in the sacred
attic, where he found God. Evening Celebration of Diwali and Kali
Puja. Overnight ashram.
NOV 6th, DAY 31: Immediately after breakfast, we will take a
beautiful, scenic boat ride up the Ganges to Serampore. Here we will
stroll down Rai Ghat Lane, the same walk taken by Master and Sri
Yukteswar each morning to take their dip in the Ganges. At this ghat
(bathing place), Mahavatar Babaji appeared under the banyan tree to
Sri Yukteswar, after the completion of his Holy Science. We will
chant and meditate at Sri Yukteswar's ashram and visit his family
home. Then we will walk a short distance to Ananda Lok, where Guruji
lived while attending Serampore College. Overnight ashram.
NOV 7th, DAY 32: Today is free to enjoy the ashram and attend
group meditations and classes. Overnight ashram.
NOV 8th, DAY 33 - Varanasi (Banares): Take early morning
flight to the Holy City of Banaras (Varanasi). Met and transferred
to hotel on the banks of the Ganges. Enjoy dinner under the stars on
the banks of the holy Ganges. Overnight.
NOV 9th, DAY 34: Varanasi is considered the city of Lord Shiva,
king of all yogis. We will rise at dawn and take an early morning
boat ride on the holy Ganges. As the morning sun rises over this
holy river, you will hear the ancient sounds of priests performing
their pujas and rituals. The sound of bells and conch shells waft
through the air in the distance, beckoning your soul to join in the
worship of the Lord. We will stop at Hanuman bathing ghat for those
who would like to take their holy dip in the Ganges. For many, the
dip in this sacred river is a highlight. When you feel the magic of
these sacred waters, you will then know why it is worshiped as a
form of Divine Mother each night. We will return to the hotel for
breakfast and later visit Lahiri Mahashayas home and Satya Lok.
Overnight.
NOV 10th, DAY 35: After breakfast, we will take a short drive to
Sarnath and Deer Park, the site of Buddha's first sermon after his
enlightenment. We also have lots of free time for shopping and
exploring in Varanasi.
NOV 11th, DAY 36: Today we will visit Anandamoya Ma's ashram and
Trailanga Swami's ashram. After dinner enjoy evening Aarti on the
banks of the Ganges.
NOV 12th, DAY 37 - Ranchi: Today we will take a train ride to
Ranchi and check into our very nice hotel. Evening visit to YSS
Ranchi Ashram. Overnight hotel.
NOV 13th, DAY 38: Register for Sharad Sangam, the week long
YSS Convocation.
NOV 14th through 20th, Day 39 through 44: Enjoy group
energization and meditations. Attend daily classes on Guruji's
sacred teachings. Attend the sacred Kriya Ceremony and, if you are
eligible, receive Diksha for Kriya II.
NOV 21st, DAY 45: Day free to enjoy Ranchi Ashram.
NOV 22nd, DAY 46 - Delhi: Take afternoon flight to Delhi. Upon
arrival the group will be given a day room to clean up and get ready
to fly home to the States that evening. After dinner transfer to
International Airport. (Optional extra day in Delhi is available but
this will be added to tour cost and must be scheduled in advance.)
NOV 13th, DAY 38 - USA: Arrive home and begin dreaming and longing
for your return to 'Magical India'.
ASHRAN & MORE TOUR: Plains, Convocation & Short Mountains
OCT 27th, DAY 01: Depart USA on
carrier of your choice.
OCT 28th, DAY 02 - Delhi: Arrival New Delhi and transfer to
hotel. Overnight.
OCT 29th through NOV 22nd, Day 03 through Day 26: Join Main Tour.
See OCT
29th,
DAY 23, Plains Portion of Main Tour (above) for day to day itinerary.
NOV 23rd through NOV 27th, Day 27 through Day 31: Visit
Corbett Park and the YSS Dwarahat Ashram/Delhi.
NOV 28, DAY 32 - Delhi: Transfer to airport for flight home.
NOV 29, DAY 33: Arrive home in the USA and begin dreaming of your
return to India.
BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE
TO TOP OF PAGE





















